"Recovery And Reset" Package For Lewes District Council

Lewes District Council's leader says financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic "will not define the future of the authority".

Cllr. James MacCleary was speaking as leading councillors from the ruling LibDem, Labour, Green and independent alliance agreed plans to find savings and "new ways of working".

Putting the problem into context, the council stated that the coronavirus pandemic has left local authorities everywhere with significant budget deficits due to the loss of income during lockdown, and extra costs associated with their response to the crisis. 

The cabinet of leading councillors yesterday (September 24) approved a "recovery and reset" programme that will see a senior team of council officers "scrutinising every facet" of the council's operation, searching for efficiencies. 

Accounts show that the Covid-19 crisis created a budget deficit in 2020/2021 of £4 million, with an estimated £7.9 million cost to the authority over the next four years. 

Cllr. MacCleary said:

"When the coronavirus hit the UK, the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, promised to recompense local authorities for the unplanned expenditure arising from the pandemic and loss of income.

"To date we have only seen a fraction of that funding from government. 

"Our officers continue to work closely with the MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) to find a sustainable solution and I hope the outcome of these discussions reflects the earlier commitments made by Mr Jenrick." 

According to Lewes District Council's official statements, the recovery and reset programme will focus on four key principles:

• the best use of digital technology,
• reshaping service delivery,
• the best use of the council's assets, such as buildings, and
• supporting the restart of the local economy, including preparedness in the event of any resurgence in the coronavirus.

All of these, the council said, must be delivered in line with the council's existing corporate priorities. 

Cllr. MacCleary added: 

"The programme will build on the changing way people have been accessing services over the last six months, most notably online through our website, email and webchats. 

"This understanding coupled with further consultation, internally and externally, will help shape the sustainable and resilient services our residents and businesses rely on. 

"We will overcome the financial impact of Covid-19 and it certainly will not define the future of the authority, but there will be significant changes as we adapt to it."